(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday the club heard from Joe Ziolkowski from Main Street Park Alliance. He gave a presentation about the proposed park to be built on the vacant Federal Screw location on Main Street.
Ziolkowski is a teacher and a construction contractor, and has worked on the new police station and bought and renovated the building where Agricole is now. He is originally from Jackson, but has lived in Alaska and San Francisco, residing now in Chelsea. While living out west, he could see how numerous parks and playgrounds benefit communities and their residents.
He thought Chelsea could use an intergenerational park. Several like-minded local community leaders joined him to form a 501C3. The Main Street Park Alliance plans to purchase the property, and has received a grant to hopefully remediate the site from its former industrial use, and get concepts created for the layout of the park.
Some initial ideas include a quarter-mile walking path around the perimeter, a skate park, a splash feature, pickleball and other courts, and parking. Final plans will be determined by the community. About half the estimated $5 million cost for construction has already been pledged.
Many organizations support the concept, (e.g. 5 Healthy Towns, Silver Maples, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation, Chelsea State Bank, Chelsea Rotary, Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, among others). The Alliance is looking for a large number of small donations, e.g. $3, from community members, as this is helpful for grant applications. Please visit their website – www.mainstreetpark.org – to learn more and see the latest conceptual drawings.
Congratulations to Chelsea High School graduates Kate Gaiser, Margaret Olaveson, and Kendall Spink, who were awarded Kiwanis Club of Chelsea scholarships.
